While your opinion (and test-drive experience) is respected, and I agree one should actually test-drive a vehicle before expressing an opinion on ride quality, that's where everyone's rump, back, and idea of ride-comfort varies. I wasn't terribly impressed with the ride-comfort on the XTS, with base-level tires/suspension (too firm, front-end shimmy from a design-defect). The 3.6L version of the CT6 I sampled was marginally better, though its ride was also a little on the firm side for my tastes, and, unlike the designed-in shimmy on the XTS (corrected later versions at the factory), the flat-spots on the CT6's tires warmed up after several miles and smoothed out some. In fact, IMO, to my tastes, the Genesis G80, G90, Lincoln Continental and the (latest versions of) the MKZ, Lexus ES350, and, of course, the 18" tire version of the Buick Lacrosse (which I ordered) all rode better than the CT6. Jill recently posted (with apparently some credibility) that Cadillac dealers are complaining that the CT6's ride is too stiff, and turning off some potential customers......I would imagine people like me who like a cushy ride.

I know, however, that one reason you like the CT6 and the two Genesis products is their RWD-oriented platforms. I respect that, though they aren't necessarily for everybody. I could easily live with an AWD G80, though, myself, though it's not quite as comfortable as the Lacrosse.

One thing I do like on the CT6, though, that IMO other manufacturers should follow (most don't). The CT6 is offered, at least in some versions if not all, in Amythist Metallic, a generally purplish shade that has long been my favorite automotive paint color. There are different shades of Amythist, of course, from a dark purple to a light purplish-gray. This one is a little on the dark side. I would have ordered it on the Lacrosse if possible, but Buick does not (yet) offer it.

 

Back to the thread topic, anybody in Car Chat (or reading this thread) actually own or lease an XTS....besides the 2-week experience of the OP? I know I was critical of the initial version in my test-drive (even GM admitted they made some mistakes on it). But, since then, the XTS has had several years of refinement and a chance to iron out the initial defects (like the front-end shimmy I noted). I would expect today's version to be significantly better than the one I sampled back then. So, if anybody owns or leases one, let's hear from you if you can give us any extended owners' experience.

Not only that, but I don't necessarily consider my own opinions set in stone. I'm open to new or more relevant experience, if applicable. For instance, I did not like the present 6Gen ES350 at all when it first debuted.....and I still don't think it is the equal of the superb 4Gen model. But, several of my colleagues and friends own them (they are retired like I am), I see and ride in them regularly (such as when we go to lunch), and this latest version has definitely grown on me. When I ordered my new Lacrosse, for instance, an ES350 was easily in the top five contenders.

 

I would agree all those cars ride better than the CT6, but that doesn't mean the CT6 rides poorly. I like and am accustomed to great riding cars and I didn't find it excellent, or objectionable. Rides better than the XTS...

 

The XTS is fwd based. The CTS and CT6 are rear wheel drive based. The XTS is my preference as it is more in line with the ride and handling you would get from a typical Old school cadillac. It just doesn't look as sharp in the front vs a CT6 and CTS. I think GM made some changes to the front of the XTS for 2018 to address this. Cadillac made the CTS too German like and the harsh ride from runflats has made a lot of typical cadillac buyers unhappy and their sales plummeted. THe CTS is also not as "big" as some would like. The CT6 was supposed to address these things but has so far had mixed sales results. I've driven the CT6 and I think it compares well to the ride and handling of the XTS. But the ride in the Ct6 is firmer than an XTS. Interior fit and finish of the CTS and CT6 is as good as a Lexus IMO.

 

Oh I agree. It's not a Bucking Bronco by any means. This, BTW, is my definition of truly awful ride comfort....the last-generation Mitsubishi Evo and (remember this one?) .......the Suzuki-derived 2-door version of Geo/Chevy Tracker.





(I'd also include the Smart-for-Two, but I don't consider that an automobile LOL)

 

i owned the latest gen ES and I had major concerns with high speed handling. I never felt confident when driving above 75mph unless it was in a straight line. First I changed the tires which improved things somewhat. Most GM Fwd vehicles are exceptionally good in the handling department and give the driver a sense of confidence that the ES doesn't. Not saying GM rules ...they don't especially when it come to reliability.

 

This I don't quite agree with. The CTS and CT6 have the best Cadillac interiors, but they still lag behind other rivals, including Lexus. More cheap hard plastic used in the Cadillacs (compare the CT6's hard lower B pillar vs padded areas in the LS), and overall the detailing and polish isn't there. Even on really high spec (and high MSRP) CT6s you have questionable materials with mold lines visible, etc. Not up to Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Genesis even, Audi, etc.

 

In general, though, ES models are designed to do just that......go a straight line, with only mild cornering. For better handling, if desired, there's the GS and IS models down at the the other end of the showroom. And most of the late-model ES350s I've seen come with Michelin rubber, so, at least by docile family-sedan standards, they don't skimp in the tire department.

Perhaps even more-so the FWD Ford Fusion. Many reviewers cite handling as the Fusion's main forte....though its derivative, the Lincoln MKZ, somewhat less so, because the MKZ is more comfort-oriented.

Buick almost rules when it comes to reliability. Depending on whose database you are looking at, they now rank either #2 overall, behind Lexus, or #3, behind Lexus and Audi. Chevy and GMC are both somewhat further down the list, and Cadillac is way down the list......almost as low as the Land Rover and FCA products.

It should be noted, however, that much of the best Buick reliability generally comes from the well-built, high-quality German/Opel platforms that the smaller Buick models (Verano, Cascada, Encore, and Regal) are built off of....in some cases, almost a complete re-badge. With the larger, more traditional Buicks (Lacrosse, Enclave, and particularly the Chinese-built Envision).....they aren't necessarily lemons, but you are, at least to an extent, rolling the reliability-dice a little more.

 

I had two ES sedans, a 2003 4th gen ES300 and a 2010 5th gen ES350. I never had any issues with high speed stability or confidence in either one. Understand...the ES is a relatively simple mcpherson strut setup, its a heavy very front heavy FWD car so yeah if you're on a mountain highway cruising at 80 and you come into some twists where the recommended curve speed goes down to say 65....I'd slow down a little. In my LS460 I'd leave the cruise set at 80, but its a much more expensive vehicle with a more sophisticated suspension.

Made many high speed highway trips in both those ES sedans going back and forth to southern WV, curvy interstate highways in many parts along I-64 through Covington, VA and Clifton Forge, VA and in WV along through White Sulpher Springs, Alta, Hinton on to Beckley. Never any issues with lack of confidence at high speeds.

 

Make sure you are comparing the same thing. A loaded ES vs a luxury CTS? I've owned both and there are no plastics in the CTS. In fact, I'd argue the materials are on par. No fake wood in the CTS. Of course, we are all entitled to our opinions and I never said that Lexus interiors aren't nice. In the luxury CT6 I had for a weekend I did think the finish wasn't quite up to par so I would agree with you on that point. I don't recalll how much plastic the CT6 had, So you may be right on that point too.

 

I have never had a problem with high-speed highway runs in any of the Toyotas I have owned, from the small, lightweight, first-generation FWD Corolla to my current ES Hybrid. In fact, I was amazed that even the Corollas were very smooth and very stable at high speeds of 75+ mph / 120+ km/h. They have all been great highway cruisers.

 

Don't want to get too far OT, but those Interstate curves are nothing. For a real test of a car's handling (without driving several hundred miles down to the Tail of the Dragon across the Smokies), U.S. 211 up and over Thornton Gap in the Blue Ridge, on Skyline Drive, will definitely give you a workout, though it is also combined with steep grades. Of course, roads like this are not intended for higher speeds, although motorcyclists love them. Over Thornton gap, I'd probably feel more at home in a Miata than anything else.

 

i may not be describing it properly. Think of driving an SUV Vs a car. Obviously at certain high speed manoeuvres you want to slow down in an SUV while you wouldn't need to do that with a car because of the centre of gravity difference. I guess I found that the body roll in the ES didn't mesh with what should be a fairly low centre of gravity since it is a car.

 

There definitely is plastic on the CTS. I wouldn't compare it to an ES, sure the CTS is nicer than an ES it's a more expensive car. Compared to the GS for instance I would say all the issues with the CTS are there that I mentioned.

Its a very softly sprung car with a relatively unsophisticated suspension. Handling has never been a part of what makes an ES an ES, with that expectation set properly I never had any issues with the handling.

Those roads aren't interstate highways. Not what he was describing, no high speed cornering there. I wasn't saying the curves I mentioned were of the level of what you're talking about, but they are examples of the sort of high speed curves you find on highways.

 

i must say that I am completely on the wrong forum here to even engage in this discussion. In my defence, t is possible to love more than one car at the same time lol. Regarding plastic, I have a CTS AWD 3.6 luxury downstairs so you can point me to where the plastic is and I will gladly verify and concede your point.

On handling, I agree with your point and therein lies the problem. I guess my expectation for the ES being an upscale luxury car wasn't it getting trounced in the handling department by an impala or a Lacrosse. A car can be very comfortable and handle well too. Not saying the ES isn't a very nice car...it is.

i did seriously consider a GS, the problem in that car being the drivetrain protruding into the passenger/driver space which reduces lateral legroom significantly and also is quite noisy with lots of vibration. It is so un-Lexus in that regard and I had to try two different GSs to make sure it wasn't a defective unit.